Leigh Arnold

Leigh Arnold

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ICE COVERED WORLD

SIZE: TBC

MEDIA: Acrylic and Enamel

$2300

INTERCONNECTED TWO

SIZE: 76 X 76 X 76 cm

MEDIA: Acrylic and Enamel

$2950

An artist who explores illusion, but without reference to our immediate, physical world. When the viewer looks at his painting, the impression is given of movement; of swelling, warping and vibration due Leigh’s intricate patternation which tricks and delights the eye. The works come to life further with the optional use of 3D glasses, which extends them into an unexpected place of fun and wonder.

What is most interesting about Eternity though, is, of course, the 3D nature of the artworks.

The trick to creating 3D art, Mr Arnold explained, was colour theory.

"I use colour to illustrate change over time, with cooler colours dropping back and warmer colours coming forward," Mr Arnold said.

"This automatically produces 3D effects."

If you're wondering if he wears 3D glasses during the painting process, the answer is no, he doesn't.

After working for years on colour theory to create the 3D effect, he said it had become second nature to him.

While most people take a little time to get used to the 3D sensation, Mr Arnold said the most hilarious responses came from children.

Unusually for an artist, he is also pretty relaxed when it comes to touching his artworks.

He said he understood the sensation of 3D made people want to reach out and try to touch the depiction, and that was totally fine with him. "Fingerprints can be wiped off," he said with a laugh.

The practice of art has been life changing for Leigh who has struggled with dyslexia throughout his life. When he discovered art he came to understand how his mind works, and to see that his dyslexia is a gift which enables him to see the world with a unique vision;

‘My 50th birthday present was to find out why literacy had been such a struggle. I discovered that I am severely dyslexic and have Asperger’s and an IQ so high that it is hard to measure accurately. It was good to know at last!

Most of my works have a scientific base. They illustrate perspective, space-bending, gravity, the Big Bang, galaxies and so on. They also use quantum physics, Euclidean geometry, space-time and above all, symmetry. I use colour to illustrate change over time with cooler colours dropping back and warmer colours coming forward. This automatically produces 3D effects.

Some of my images have been reproduced in a mathematical text on symmetry for use in Melbourne University and worldwide. Other reproductions have been used as covers for science and various magazines, and as the poster for a conference in symmetry held at Melbourne University in 2009. A PBS documentary on the history of the telescope also used many of my images in 2010.

My work has already sold to clients in Canada, New York & elsewhere in the USA, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and more. I was honoured to receive an award from the International Astronomy Union for commitment and outstanding contribution to the success of the International Year of Astronomy 2009.’ LEIGH ARNOLD.